Rig Count F.A.Q.’s

What is the Well Service Rig Count?

The Well Service rig count has always been a significant barometer of the North American oil industry, covering both true work-over, where tubing is pulled from the well, plus rod string and pump repair operations, and for all wells, regardless of depth.

Who counts the active service rigs?

Certain key Well Service rig operators will be supplying their activity data to the Association of Energy Service Companies (AESC), their key industry association, at the end of each month. They will then collate and forward this information to Weatherford. In addition, the Weatherford offices in Canada and the US communicate with the majority of the balance of the well service rig operators to gather the data within the final days of each month. The contractors supply this information to a central Weatherford location in Houston and Calgary.

When is a well service rig ACTIVE? *

By definition, the rig is active if, on average, it is crewed and worked every day during the month.

When is a well service rig AVAILABLE? *

By definition, the rig is available if a rig has a crew and is ready to work but is not working.

When is a well service rig IDLE? *

By definition, the rig is idle if the rig is capable of being put to work in less than 48 hours and does not require spending in excess of $50,000 to activate it, and does not have a crew currently assigned.

When is a well service rig STACKED? *

By definition, the rig is stacked if the rig does not have a crew assigned and could not be put to work without significant investment in repairs and additional equipment in excess of $50,000.

* The AESC through its business committee developed rigorous definitions for these terms to reflect as accurately as possible the real status of their equipment.